The Prodigy's Liam Howlett has hit out at the Mercury Prize after the dance group were ignored from this year's shortlist.

In an interview with BBC 6 Music, Howlett said the annual album prize had become too focussed on the music industry.

"It's got nothing to do with the public,” he said.

“It's to do with a panel of people that always opt for the most obscure thing."

The Prodigy picked up a nomination in 1994 for 'Music For The Jilted Generation', but their most recent effort 'Invaders Must Die' failed to make this year's final twelve.

Howlett said he believed the band's chart-topping album “should” have been nominated for the award.

He also called for judges to take into account dance music in future "because that's the type of music that stirs up the emotion".

"It's what kids listen to,” he added.

As previously reported, Kasabian, Bat For Lashes and La Roux were among the twelve acts nominated for this year's prize.

The 2008 Mercury Prize was won by Elbow's 'The Seldom Seen Kid'.

(by Jason Gregory)